The Gawai Dayak Bazaar organised by Gagasan Anak Dayak Sarawak (GADS) in Permyjaya here has succeeded in not only uniting the Dayak community but also serves as a platform to help them generate extra income.

Speaking at the launching of the bazaar last Friday night, Assistant Minister for Tourism Datuk Lee Kim Shin said the event had attracted not only the Dayaks, but also members of other communities as well.

“I can see that there are also various other races here. This shows that the bazaar is ‘multiracial’, and this is very good for business,” he said at the ceremony which took place at Permymall carpark area.

He added that as an Assistant Minister for Tourism, he sees the bazaar as having a big potential in attracting not only the locals but also foreign tourists.

In view of this, Lee urged the organiser to continuously organise such events to lure more tourists to the city.

“The good thing about tourists is that they can spend, and most of the time they will spend in cash. So if we have more events like this bazaar, we can attract more tourists so the city will generate more revenue.

“More tourists means more cash spending, and this is very good for the economy,” he pointed out.

He added that with his new post, he would make various efforts to improve tourism in the city, including working with non-governmental organisations such as GADS to hold events that promotes tourism.

Lee said that he was also pleased to see many young people among traders at the bazaar, adding that this was a very good expossure for them to learn about business and trading.

“I noticed that there are many youngsters trading here and I would like to congratulate them for taking this opportunity to be involved in trading, as this can provide them with good experiences should they decide to venture into business in the future,” he said.

At the function, he announced a RM5,000 grant to GADS including an undisclosed amount in personal donation towards the Gawai Dayak Bazaar fund 2017.

Also present at the function were Deputy Miri Resident Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf; GADS president Vicky Gulin Shandum, GADS advisor Jetli Jelian and Permymall complex manager Thadeus Sia.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Jacqueline Raphael

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]